CITIIS 2.0: Empowering Urban India for a Sustainable Future
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has embarked on a transformative journey with the launch of the CITIIS 2.0 program. In partnership with the French Development Agency (AFD), Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW), the European Union (EU), and the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA), this initiative is set to redefine urban sustainability in India over the next four years, from 2023 to 2027. Let’s explore how CITIIS 2.0 aims to revolutionize urban development by promoting circular economy, climate resilience, and institutional strengthening.
The Vision of CITIIS 2.0
CITIIS 2.0, or City Investments to Innovate, Integrate and Sustain, is designed to support competitively selected urban projects that focus on the circular economy and integrated waste management. The program also emphasizes climate-oriented reforms at the state level and the dissemination of knowledge and institutional strengthening at the national level. By aligning with ongoing national programs such as the National Mission on Sustainable Habitat, AMRUT 2.0, Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0, and the Smart Cities Mission, CITIIS 2.0 aims to contribute positively to India’s climate commitments under the Paris Agreement and the COP26 commitments.
A Glimpse into CITIIS 1.0
Launched in 2018, CITIIS 1.0 set a strong foundation for urban innovation in India. It comprised three components:
Component 1: City-Level Projects
CITIIS 1.0 selected 12 city-level projects through a competitive process, focusing on urban innovation and sustainability.
Component 2: Capacity Development
This component involved capacity-building activities in the state of Odisha, enhancing the ability of urban institutions to implement innovative projects.
Component 3: Integrated Urban Management
At the national level, the program promoted integrated urban management through activities undertaken by the NIUA, serving as the Program Management Unit (PMU) for CITIIS 1.0.
The Structure of CITIIS 2.0
Building on the success of its predecessor, CITIIS 2.0 features three major components:
Component 1: Financial and Technical Support
This component provides financial and technical support for developing projects aimed at building climate resilience, adaptation, and mitigation in up to 18 smart cities. By focusing on climate resilience, CITIIS 2.0 aims to equip cities to better handle the impacts of climate change.
Component 2: State and UT Support
All states and Union Territories (UTs) are eligible for support on a demand basis. The support provided includes:
- Setting up or strengthening existing state climate centres or climate cells.
- Creating state and city-level Climate Data Observatories.
- Facilitating climate-data-driven planning and developing climate action plans.
- Building capacities of municipal functionaries to implement these plans.
The PMU at NIUA will coordinate the provision of technical assistance and strategic support to state governments, ensuring that the objectives of this component are met effectively.
Component 3: Climate Governance Interventions
Interventions at the centre, state, and city levels aim to further climate governance in urban India. This includes:
- Institutional strengthening and knowledge dissemination.
- Building partnerships and capacities.
- Conducting research and development to support the scale-up of successful initiatives across all states and cities.
The Goals of CITIIS 2.0
CITIIS 2.0 is not just about implementing projects; it’s about fostering a comprehensive approach to urban sustainability. Here are the primary goals:
Promoting Circular Economy
By supporting projects that promote a circular economy, CITIIS 2.0 aims to reduce waste and enhance resource efficiency at the city level. Integrated waste management will play a crucial role in achieving this goal, ensuring that urban areas manage their resources sustainably.
Climate-Oriented Reforms
At the state level, the program encourages reforms that address climate change. This includes setting up climate centres, developing climate action plans, and ensuring that climate data drives urban planning and decision-making processes.
Institutional Strengthening
At the national level, CITIIS 2.0 aims to strengthen institutions and disseminate knowledge to support sustainable urban development. By building capacities and fostering partnerships, the program ensures that urban governance is equipped to tackle the challenges of climate change.
Supporting National Climate Actions
CITIIS 2.0 supplements India’s national climate actions, contributing to major programs like the National Mission on Sustainable Habitat, AMRUT 2.0, Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0, and the Smart Cities Mission. This alignment ensures that the program supports India’s broader climate commitments.
Conclusion
The CITIIS 2.0 program represents a bold step towards sustainable urban development in India. By focusing on the circular economy, climate resilience, and institutional strengthening, the program aims to create urban areas that are not only livable but also resilient to the impacts of climate change. As it rolls out over the next four years, CITIIS 2.0 promises to make a significant contribution to India’s urban transformation, aligning with national and global climate goals.
Also, Visit: